Combat your nerves

This was modified from an "about.com" article on sporting performance, but it's as relevant to singing as it is to running a race...

Preparation

*  Recognise that the "jitters" are normal - Accept, rather than fight your nervous energy.  Don't misinterpret it, by thinking that it's fear.  The adrenaline rush you feel is a normal part of your body's function.  Notice it, but don't focus on it.  Once you're in the full swing of things, it WILL subside, it always does.

*  Prepare both mentally and physically - Arrive in plenty of time, so that you aren't rushed, which will only increase your stress.  Do a good warmup and think about your breathing, it might sound mad, but stretch a bit too...

*  Visualise - Allow a few minutes to practise visualisation.  During this time, mentally rehearse, showing yourself doing everything right.  Breathe easy, close your eyes and use the mental imagery to visualise yourself performing well.  This positive self-talk can change your attitude towards singing.

During the Performance

* Focus on the task at hand - Stay present in the moment and avoid thinking far too far into the future, the song or the end.  If you find yourself thinking negative thoughts, or negative self-talk, stop and focus only on your breathing.  Focussing on your breathing rhythm will automatically pull you back to the present.  Sometimes this requires practise, so spend time regularly to do it.  Take 10 minutes, set an alarm on your phone (or alarm clock), lie down and focus on that breath, in and out.  If your mind wanders, don't chastise yourself, rather bring your focus back to the breathing.  Your mind is a cheeky monkey that is always looking for the next adventure, it doesn't quiet easily.

*  Force a smile - (really) - If you're struggling with negative thoughts, and you can't break out of the cycle, then simply force yourself to smile, even if only for a few seconds.  This simple action will change your attitude in a split second.  Perhaps, all the time you need to relax back into your performance.

* Sing like you don't care - If you find yourself caught up in negative thoughts, and find that you suddenly expect the worst, it will be impossible for you to perform at your peak.  If you begin to sing like you don't care about the outcome, you will relax and and enjoy it for what it is, another day in your life, not the most important one!

Afterwards

*  Review the performance and recall the things that you did well - Focus on the thoughts, actions and behaviours that helped you perform.

*  Acknowledge, but quickly dismiss the things that hindered your performance - This is the same principle as avoiding an obstacle while driving.  You look where you want to go, and where you don't.  When you focus on the pothole, you almost always hit it.  Focusing on the negative aspects of the performance will not help you to improve in the future.  Better to focus on what you did right!  This is a form of mental rehearsal, where you practise skills that will be used in the next one.

*  Try to mimic the conditions -  Do what you can to recreate the setting that is causing your nerves, invite friends to sit and listen.  Do what you can to make a fake audience.

The main thing you need to remember, is to ENJOY yourself!